THOMAS, WILLIAM ESDAILE (1826-91) was born in Tooting, London; educated in London, and got his commission in the 26th Regiment (Cameronians). He later held the rank of captain in the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment. He settled in New Zealand in 1857. In 1866, being in Wellington, he was sent for by the Minister of Defence and appointed resident magistrate at Chatham Islands, with responsibility for the custody of a growing number of Hauhau prisoners. The guard (under Lieutenant Tuke) numbered at first 26 men, and the prisoners in Jun 1866 totalled 273, including Te Kooti (q.v.). In Jul the guard was reduced to a corporal and three privates. By Nov the prisoners numbered 328, and the guard was two officers and 20 men (of whom half were natives). Thomas made representations to New Zealand as to the inadequacy of the guard. Following Rolleston's visit (Jan 1868), the guard was again reduced. Observing the arrival of seed wheat in Apr the prisoners judged that their captivity was to be considerably prolonged. Te Kooti now had great influence over them, and on 4 Jul they rose, overpowered the guard, bound Thomas, seized the schooner Rifleman and escaped to Poverty Bay. Thomas remained for some time as magistrate and Government agent. On returning to New Zealand he was transferred to the Customs department, in which he was for some years chief clerk at Auckland. He retired in 1887 and entered into business as a shipping and customs agent. He died on 26 Sep 1891. Thomas was two years on the Parnell borough council and was a churchwarden of St Mary's.

App. H.R., 1868; Gudgeon (p); Cowan, ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 27 Sep 1891.

Reference: Volume 2, page 193

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